The proposed General Assembly Committee Bill No. 6280 establishes a Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program under the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, set to take effect on July 1, 2025. This program targets entities responsible for significant greenhouse gas emissions, specifically those that have emitted over one billion metric tons from January 1, 1995, to December 31, 2025. The bill introduces new legal language to define key terms related to climate change adaptation projects, responsible parties, and the fund designated for financing these initiatives. It emphasizes the importance of projects that address climate change impacts, including infrastructure upgrades and health care programs, while establishing that responsible parties will be strictly liable for their share of costs associated with these projects.

Additionally, the bill outlines the payment structure for cost recovery demands, requiring responsible parties to pay within six months, with the option to make payments in nine annual installments. The first installment must be 20% of the total demand, followed by 10% each year. The bill also mandates the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to adopt regulations for identifying responsible parties and their emissions, while ensuring stakeholder consultation and public engagement. Although there are no deletions from current law, the bill introduces extensive new provisions aimed at creating a sustainable funding source for climate resilience efforts in the state, along with mechanisms for program evaluation and accountability.